Print

[geoff]

Has the diesel dissolved the tarmac yet ? 

Once dissolved it usually always stays soft afterwards 

If you have a diesel leak the best action is to " pick it up " ie use a blotter like kitchen roll as quickly as possible.

I'd avoid further solvents to do any cleaning and especially any scrubbing or jet washing as you can easily end up with a big hole that grows in size.

My van leaked diesel on my drive and it cost me over 60 sq metres of new tarmac ! 

[Genem]

Slightly hijacking the thread….a month or more ago I carefully refilled the strimmer with 2 stroke and walked across our tarmac yard leaving a trail of 2 stroke in my wake as I’d forgotten to screw down the fuel tank lid! I was hoping it would fade away but still have stains - presumably from the oil as the petrol evaporated. I quite like the suggestion of trying cement to mop up/disguise the stains, but before I go out and buy a bag wondered what folks think my chances are (getting rid of the stains, not buying the cement..  )

Alchad

Wait a few weeks, the fallen leaves will cover it nicely 

[oilstain]

Spray they stain with WD40, then soap, scrub and wash away. Works fairly well for cement.

I'll try that on another stain I have

[Wittsend]

I use patio cleaner in my pressure washer on my concrete standing next to the garage.

 

[oilstain]

On my road problem I used washing powder as told above and whilst it has not got rid of all the marks it is much better.
I used to park a meter or so forward and a earlier engine, 2.25 petrol, used to drip 20/50 oil which has formed a small dip/hole but with time it could be worse.

I do feel it it time the powers that be resurfaced the road as it must be over 50 years since it was first laid and I seem to get very little for my council tax, unlike some

[AlexB]

tarmac is basically aggregate (stones) and binder (bitumen type substance originally a petro chemical derivitive)

Once you have stopped the spillage from continuing to erode the tarmac, (cement powder for example) then it's best to paint with bitumastic type paint. It seals the tarmac from further degredation and, if relatively fresh tarmac, blends in with the colour.

Hope that helps

40 years as a Highways Engineer has some uses !!

[TimV]

Cat litter might soak up the spillage.

[Alan Drover]

I've got a couple of spillage packs from the Series 3 club in the Land Rover.

[island dormy]

 Hi

 The fire department here uses kitty litter to soak up oil and fuel leaks after a traffic accident, it seems to work pretty good, sweep it around then sweep it up in a few days.

  Victor